A Kinematic Analysis of the Gallop of the Horse (Biomechanics, Gait, Equine, Locomotion, Canter)
Deuel, Nancy Roberta
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/70026
Description
Title
A Kinematic Analysis of the Gallop of the Horse (Biomechanics, Gait, Equine, Locomotion, Canter)
Author(s)
Deuel, Nancy Roberta
Issue Date
1985
Department of Study
Animal Sciences
Discipline
Animal Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Animal Culture and Nutrition
Abstract
A cinematographic approach was used in a kinematic analysis of the equine transverse gallop gait. The stride characteristics of 4 American Quarter Horse fillies were used as a model. Horses were approximately 30 months of age and had been raised in similar environments. During a 12-week preparatory period horses were housed and fed together and were trained in a similar manner. Horses were filmed by 2 cameras simultaneously (243 frames/second) while galloping under the standardized conditions of a specially constructed 1.5-meter-wide track. Horses were all ridden the same saddle and bridle by one person. Kinematic variables determined for 62 strides included stride length, stride frequency, contact and non-contact periods of single limbs and combinations of limbs as well as absolute and relative angular orientations of body segments.
Gallop velocity (10.0 to 15.0 meters/second) was strongly influenced by stride frequency (2.16 to 3.04 strides/second) and to a lesser extent by stride length (4.41 to 5.56 meters). Length and frequency of stride were independent. Decreases in stride duration with increased galloping velocity occurred at the expense of hind trail unipedal contact, fore lead unipedal contact and the airborne phase duration.
Certain stride variables were identified that differed between individual horses galloping at similar velocities. Bilateral asymmetries in motion patterns were detected. Distinct patterns of the magnitudes and timings of maximum and minimum absolute and relative segmental angular orientations were documented for the leading and trailing sides of the body in proximal and distal limb regions. Terminology appropriate to kinematic investigations of the gallop was recommended. The research findings provide a foundation for future investigations of locomotive patterns of horses performing under a variety of conditions.
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